Nepalese authorities have uncovered a massive $20 million insurance fraud ring in which Mount Everest guides deliberately poisoned climbers to orchestrate expensive helicopter rescues. The guides reportedly laced tourists’ food with baking soda to induce severe gastrointestinal illness, creating symptoms that mimicked altitude sickness and forced urgent medical evacuations. A corrupt network of trekking agencies, helicopter operators, and hospital officials then submitted falsified medical and flight documents to international insurers, dividing the illicit payouts among themselves. Following an investigation launched in January, prosecutors have now charged 32 individuals in connection with the elaborate scam and are seeking over $11 million in fines.
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